Using an SD card - Moto E (4th Gen)

Using an SD card on the Moto E (4th Gen)

Whether its images, music, videos or applications we know that the most important stuff on people's phones is stored in the user memory. The Moto E (4th Gen.) allows you to expand your memory by using a micro SD card.

To insert a memory card:

Remove the back cover

Put your fingernail in the notch next to the charging port.

Remove the Battery

Insert the micro SD card, slide the SD card into the slot on top of the SIM.

Insert the battery face up.

Snap the cover on.

When you insert an SD card for the first time, you can choose to either use the card as Portable Storage or Internal Storage.

Portable Storage

Internal Storage

Select this mode if you frequently swap your SD card between devices, use your SD card for media storage only.

Select this mode if you want to completely extend your device storage with the card, and need the card to store large applications, games, and their data.

You have a Class 2, 4, or 6 card.

You have a high-speed card (UHS-1)

If you frequently swap cards, use SD card to transfer content between devices and do not download many large app, we recommend configuring your card as “portable”.

If you want to store large games on the card, if your device storage is always filling up, and you plan to always keep this card in the device, we recommend keeping your card as internal.

Only pictures and media can be stored on the card.

Downloaded applications, their data, is always internal. they can not be moved to the card.

The card is readable by other devices. (another phone, Mac, PC, digital camera)

Content on the card is not encrypted by default.

The card will NOT be reformatted when Portable storage is selected.

The SD card can become your device primary storage

Downloaded applications, their data and media can be moved to the card

The card is not readable by other devices. (another phone, Mac, PC, digital camera)

The card is always encrypted, and can not be decrypted on any other device.

The card will be formatted when Portable storage is selected.

Performance warning

We recommend use of a high speed card , such as a UHS-1 type. Class 4 and Class 2 micro SD cards are not recommended for adopted internalstorage usage. The performance of these cards is typically 10x slower than internal storage performance.

High speed card are identified by these logos:

If your card it too slow, your device will warn your during the adoption process. If you encounter this dialog, we advise to upgrade your card to a UHS-1 card first.

Using your card as ‘Portable Storage’

Insert the SD card on your device

Android will notify you a new SD Card has been detected, you can setup the card as portable or internal storage

If you decide to defer this decision, the card will be used as portable storage by default. you can change this selection through Settings -> Storage at a later stage

Using your card as ‘Portable Storage’

Media, pictures, movies already on the card will be visible in the device photo gallery and media apps. New content side loaded to the card will also be available and viewable in media apps on the device

Through the Motorola camera application settings, you can select the default storage for pictures and movies captured through the Motorola camera app. Third party camera might not offer this option.

Some third party applications will enable you to store their content on the ‘portable’ SD card, as in lollipop; but only if the application developer chose to do so (Google Play Music)

If you select a card as portable storage, you will NOT be able to move applications to the card, nor will play store automatically install applications to this card

Select the ‘internal storage’ option, after have carefully read the warning

If you currently have applications installed on the card, your device will ask you to move these applications back to internal storage before formatting your card

Your card will be formatted and encrypted, and usable as device storage

Once the card has been formatted, you will be asked whether you want to migrate data currently on your device to the card. This step will move all media, pictures, and documents to the SD card.

By selecting where to migrate content, you also select the preferred storage location for all applications, databases and data.

If you decide to move that data to the card, the SD card will also become the preferred storage location for all applications content, data and database and media.

If you decide to skip this step, your device internal storage will remain the preferred storage for all content.

Once a card has been formatted as internal storage, both your device internal storage and the card will show up as “device storage” under storage settings, and you will be able to move applications which were in internal storage to the card. Moving applications to the card can be done from application settings (Settings > Apps > select application > Change storage location)

Once a card has been formatted as internal storage, Play Store will install applications on either storage volume automatically, based on a set of rules provided by the application developer (you will be able to move applications from one volume to another)

Applications will always store their content in the preferred storage location by default. You will not need to indicate in each application setting where to store content; for example:
If you have adopted your SD card as ‘internal’, the Motorola camera app will always store your content to the preferred storage location, there is no app specific setting

Storage settings will enable you to check storage usage on both Device storage volumes. Adopted SD cards will show up under “Device Storage”